DESIGN & PROJECT MANAGEMENT
CHINLEY, BUXWORTH & BROWNSIDE PARISH COUNCIL
BACKGROUND
Chinley is a rural village in the High Peak Borough of Derbyshire. They already had a community building but it was constructed in the 1960s and no longer suitable for purpose. d3associates were commissioned to provide Chinley with a new community building that would meet all the needs of a diverse and modern community while at the same time respecting its location in a beautiful conservation area.
OUTCOME
The design brief for the proposed new building evolved through extensive consultation between the Parish Council, Community Association and residents working closely with the d3associates Design Team. Once options studies were complete, the preferred design was circulated to residents with a questionnaire, followed by a further day long consultation with the d3associates Design Team. Residents’ comments were reviewed with the Parish Council and the design amended as agreed.
The final plan for the new Community Centre includes a spacious entrance and social area for communal use. A large multi-use Hall that can be used for a variety of activities such as meetings, cinema nights, work outs, table tennis etc. In addition, there is a large Kitchen, an Office, Library, and another smaller multi-use events room. There are also Changing Rooms for the adjacent football pitch. A large terrace with glazed balustrade, provides external events space and access to the stunning views.
Construction comprises a well-insulated, timber frame structure, heated by air source heat pumps, powered by photovoltaic panels and linked to the underfloor heating system. The building is designed to have low running costs and be accessible to all. Careful consideration has been taken with the overall scale and materiality of the building and we have worked closely with the planners to ensure it is in keeping with their design guide, being situation in a Conservation Area.
A planning application has been submitted and approved, the Stage 4 Technical Design is complete, and the project has been published on Contract Finder. d3associates are now currently working with the client to complete an application for a National Lottery submission.
Consulting with local residents and community groups
“We have formed a close working partnership with the d3associates team. Their presence and willingness to listen and adapt during the consultative process has resulted in a design for our Community building that will be a pleasure to use and caters to the needs of the whole community.
They have also taken into consideration that our new building sits within a Conservation Area - not only is the design pleasing on the eye, but it also gives those of us who will be using it panoramic views of the local Peak District.
Finally we are reassured to know that d3associates have ensured our Community building will run economically and sustainably well into the future. The whole experience has been extremely positive, and I would be more than happy to recommend working with them.”
— Georgina Cooper | Clerk of the Council, Chinley, Buxworth & Brownside Parish Council